Sunday, March 29, 2009

44.44%


March 2nd, sad
Originally uploaded by with an eye
That is the percentage of things in my fridge that are either a.) expired b.) growing mold or c.) actually empty but still in the fridge. I'm not sure what the worst part of this is: the cold hard facts, or the indication that I actually took the time to calculate this data point. Or maybe it's that two of the items pictured here in my fridge on March 2nd are still there today. It's a sad state of affairs down here these days. I look forward to April 8th with hope and determination for a better life!

Friday, March 20, 2009

South by South Madness

My first (and only) day of South by Southwest 2009 was pretty great. I've decided that ACL and SxSW are totally differently overwhelming. ACL is huge and overwhelming because you are running from one stage to another, through thousands of people and an all-encompassing cloud of dust, trying to see all the bands you want, all the while trying to not lose your friends. SxSW is completely the opposite. I mean, its scale is SO much bigger, that you can't possibly run around from stage to stage trying to see everything. And you can't possibly hope to run in to people. You just head out, sans plan, prepared to be completely content with what you are seeing, and not thinking about the fact that similar parties are happening at every other bar. And on every other street corner. In the entire city. For the entire day. For 4 days in a row. If you were to think about that, your head would explode.

This year we spent Thursday afternoon at Mohawk's on Red River. The line was short, the cover was non-existent, and the beers were complimentary. We haven't even gotten to the shows we saw yet, and it's already sounding like a perfect day - ain't it?! Not to mention the weather. It wasn't too hot yet, just right. Warm enough for sandals and a tank top and sunglasses, but not hot enough that people were disgusting.

We got to the outdoor stage at Mohawk's, beers in hand, in time to see most of the set for Glasvegas. I'd not really heard them much, but I've since seen them twice on the late night TV circuit. They were really good, I'm a new fan. After their set, and another free beer, we had a little break on the roof deck of Mohawk's. The last show of the day at Mohawk's was Austin's own ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. The had a much bigger following than Glasvegas, the place really filled up, and the crowd new all the words to all the songs. Not me. But, I did still like them - it was a good show.

From there we headed down to Auditorium Shores for the free concert series. (Admittedly, on our way we took a break at BD Riley's to grab some grub and the first of the March Madness games.) We arrived in time to catch the end of one show, now I forget who, and managed to see a pretty good set by Cold War Kids.

After this, we were pretty beat, and headed home with dreams of burritos and watching a movie. A plan that was only thwarted when everyone involved passed out cold within the first 5 minutes.

All in all, another great day in the live music capitol of the world!

Monday, March 09, 2009

Memere

I'm not sure why I've been thinking about her a lot lately, maybe it's because a few of my friends have lost grandparents recently, or maybe it's because of the elderly subjects I have the fortune to work with every week. But, I'd like to tell you about my Memere. My family is pretty small, I'd say there are four of us. If you go to the farthest reaches of extended family, we might be able to get up to 20 - in both directions - but, I've always considered it to be the four of us. My mom, my dad, my memere, and me.

She's my Mom's mom, and my mom is her only child. I, in turn, am her only grandchild. For as far back as I can remember, she was there for all the important things - holidays, birthdays, school events, dance recitals. Yet, for most of my early life she lived more than a 3 hour drive north of us, in Lowell, MA. I have fond memories of her calling me her little chickadee, and tossing matchbox cars across the kitchen floor at each other. The "spare room" in our house was always referred to as "Memere's room" while I was growing up, as she was it's only real occupant that I can recall.

When she lived in Lowell she had a fish tank, but there were no fish in it, there were little ceramic figurines of animals and things. I remember she gave me a few - a squirrel maybe, and a lamb, I think. And her apartment used to have carpet that went into the dining room that I thought was strange - although, now that I type it out loud, I can't understand why it was strange my parents carpet also goes into the dining room. But hers was strange. And, she had this little vacuum thing, which may very well have been the first ever Swiffer, that you just rolled over the carpet and it picked up the crumbs. And her step-stool, it was yellow. Gosh, I remember such weird things about that apartment.

The elementary school I went to had Grandparents Day each year, and she would come down for it. Our grandparents would come around with us for the day, meet our friends and teachers. It was usually in April or May, and I remember how fun it was to show her the things I did, and to get to eat lunch with her. It was probably one of the best days of the whole year - for both of us, I think.

When I was about 12, she moved to RI, and had the apartment with the garage. And ever after she moved out, that apartment will be remembered for one thing, and one thing only. Sewage. We used to see her every Sunday, we'd go to her house in the evenings, she'd have something for dessert. We'd all eat and talk. I'm sure that I didn't always act like I cared, but I know I always liked going over there. And then a few years later, we'd go over on Sunday mornings instead - and go out for breakfast. Or take a drive to Watch Hill for ice cream.

I remember years of being nervous to be the one to go upstairs and get her - for no good reason. But we used to do that little "shave and a haircut" knock. I'd do the first part "shave and a hair cut" and she'd knock back with "two bits!" Which means she was likely standing there for 20 minutes waiting for me to do my part, so that she wasn't late with hers. When I think hard, I can still hear her saying "I'm coming, I'm coming" or the way she said "Hello" when she answered the telephone.

One of the worst parts about moving to Texas, I'm realizing, is that I'm missing her. When I lived in Massachusetts I could still see her often, or call. The longer I'm gone, and the farther away I am, the more impossible that becomes. She'll be 98 in May, and long distance communication is tough. Obviously, she does not text, IM, or email (which comprises 78% of my communication). She is legally blind, and so we can not be penpals (we wrote often while I was in college). And the longer she's in the nursing home, the more difficult the phone becomes. With her advancing age, and her declining sensory perception, she's having a harder time holding on to things that are simply not part her daily routine. The phone is not in her routine. And, now, neither am I.

I saw her while I was home for Christmas, and while Christmas day itself was a challenge for her, it was nice to be able to spend a lot of time together. I can say, with some professional clout, that she does not have dementia, but is a 98 year old woman who is blind, can't hear, and doesn't walk - and I can imagine it's easier to let go of your remaining faculties instead of trying to hold on to the few you've got left. So, while she may not have always been aware that it was me who was there with her during those visits, I was lucky enough to hear her mention once or twice that she has a granddaughter in Texas. And, I was able to see the look of recognition (and confusion) on her face when I called her Memere!

"Wait, what did you just call me?" "Memere!" "Ohh, it's Jenni!"